Paisley and McGuinness mark new era

Northern Ireland's first minister, Ian Paisley, and the deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, smile after being sworn in at Stormont. Photograph: Paul Faith/AP

Ian Paisley, the Democratic Unionist party leader who spent decades denouncing republicans, and Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander, joined together today to assume office as first and deputy first minister at the head of a new power-sharing government.

With two prime ministers and a host of US political dignitaries in the gallery watching the ceremonial opening, the Northern Ireland assembly elected a new speaker, three deputy speakers and an entire ministerial team without a voice of dissent.

The extraordinary display of cross-community unity at Stormont marked a symbolic end to the Troubles and opened an era of cooperation between former enemies. Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Fein, shook hands with William Hay, the DUP assembly member (MLA) who was elected as speaker.

The only conflict of the day came at the gates of Stormont when police clashed with anti-Iraq war protesters objecting to Tony Blair's presence. Three officers were injured and three demonstrators arrested.

The proceedings in Stormont's wood-panelled chamber were delayed by half an hour out of respect for the memory of George Dawson, a DUP MLA who died at the weekend.

When business resumed, nominations began, putting in place the politicians who had already been selected by the parties for parliamentary and executive posts.

Ian Paisley nominated Mr Hay as speaker and promised that after the next election, "We will be supporting a candidate drawn from the other side of the house." He had first met Mr Hay "as a young boy in short pants", he recalled.

In seconding him, the DUP MP and MLA Jeffrey Donaldson described him as a "stout" defender of "his home city, Londonderry". Mr Hay, who is by no means obese, took the comment in good humour and it became a shared joke among the parties, warming the atmosphere as successive nominations were made.

Up in the gallery, Ian Paisley's wife, Eileen - now a peer - sat not far from the veteran US senator Ted Kennedy, a longtime supporter of the peace process.

On the opposite benches, perched behind Mr Blair and the Irish taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, was Peggy McGuinness, the mother of the Sinn Fein deputy first minister.

Others in the gallery included Dermot Ahern, the Irish foreign affairs minister and former taoiseach Albert Reynolds, the Northern Ireland secretary, Peter Hain, the home secretary, John Reid, and Mr Blair's chief of staff, Jonathan Powell. Father Alec Reid and the Rev Harold Good, who played influential roles in persuading paramilitary groups to renounce violence, sat nearby.

Sinn Fein MLAs who took the pledge of office began their statements in Irish. The oath, taken first by Mr Paisley and then Mr McGuinness, included promises that ministers would "prevent discrimination", support "non-violence and exclusively peaceful means" and "uphold the rule of law ... including support for policing and the courts".

The assembly adjourned around midday as MLAs moved into the marbled hall at Stormont to be addressed by Mr Paisley, Mr McGuinness, Mr Blair and Mr Ahern. The Westlife song You Raise Me Up was played.

Mr Paisley, who recalled being arrested on the night of the Good Friday agreement in 1998, declared: "In politics, as in life, it is a truism that no one can ever have 100% of what they desire. They must make a verdict when they believe they have achieved enough to move things forward.

"I can say to you today that I believe Northern Ireland had come to a time of peace, a time when hate will no longer rule. How good it will be to be part of the wonderful healing in this province today."

Martin McGuinness said: "We know the road we are embarking on will have many twists and turns. It is, however, a road which we have chosen and which is supported by the vast majority of our supporters. In the recent elections, they have voted for a new political era based on peace and reconciliation."

Tony Blair, who paid tribute to his predecessor Sir John Major for initiating the peace process, said: "Normal life and normal politics can seem a small ambition to anyone who has not lived through the abnormality of a society living on the edge - and for many years Northern Ireland was such a society.

"Look back and we see centuries marked by conflict, hardship, even hatred among the people of these islands; look forward and we see the chance to shake off those heavy chains of history."

Bertie Ahern praised Mr Blair's contribution. "This was not a process that promised quick or easy rewards. But he has been a true friend of peace and a true friend of Ireland. And for that we express our heartfelt thanks.

"I thank him for the true determination that he had, for just sticking with it for 10 tough years. He has spent more time dealing with the issues of the island, far more time than anybody could have asked any other person to do."

In the hall afterwards politicians mingled but, as Mr Paisley had promised, there was no handshake between himself and Martin McGuinness.